In a thrilling and frustrating game that took place on Thursday in the FIH Pro League, the Indian Men’s Hockey Team lost 4-6 to Australia. It was a topsy turvy game, with India conceding two early goals before scoring four. However, Australia came back into the game with four goals of their own to win the tie.
In the first minute, Blake Govers scored off a penalty corner, but Krishan Pathak ought to have done a better job of stopping it. A minute later, Govers, having received a long pass into the circle, doubled Australia’s lead with a magnificent powerful strike. The big forward hit another dragflick towards goal with three minutes remaining, but Pathak made an incredible save by diving to his right.
India began to put together sequences of passes after the early jolt. Sumit brought down one aerial ball, and he was then brought down in the circle for a penalty corner, which was converted by captain Harmanpreet Singh’s potent dragflick. They drew level through Sukhjeet Singh’s clever reverse-flick past Andrew Charter.
Harmanpreet’s dragflick, which deflected off the first rusher and passed through Charter’s feet, proved to be a fortunate one. The fourth goal of the game, scored by Harmanpreet, was the best of the evening. He unleashed a fierce pass from the halfway line to Mandeep Singh in the circle. After making a sudden turn, he unleashed a powerful finish that was too intense for Charter.
After the break, the Aussies regained control of the match. Aren Zalewski, Lachlan Sharp and Jacob Anderson and Jake Harvie scored in quick succession to tilt the tie in Australia’s favour.
India will next face Ireland in the Pro League at the Kalinga Stadium on Friday evening.
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